Odor Eliminating System for a Toilet

ABSTRACT

A ventilation system for a toilet that provides a clean, convenient and safe means for eliminating unpleasant odors by use of a fan is herein disclosed. This system can be added to an existing toilet or used in newbuilt as so desired. Odors are eliminated directly to the sewer outflow.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention described below relates to a ventilating system for thepurpose of removing obnoxious odors promptly from the toilet bowl duringtoilet usage. More specifically, the subject invention pertains to anodors eliminating system utilizing a ventilating fan to evacuate odorsfrom a toilet bowl to the drain.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A common problem with the traditional toilet is that odors accumulateduring and even long time after the toilet usage. The conventionalbathroom ventilating fan provided on the ceiling can not withdraw theseodors promptly, efficiently and timely. There are many types of devicesmade to provide means for removing these obnoxious odors. They can becategorized into several groups according to their construction and modeof operation.

One set of devices use the ventilation system attached to the seat, orbuilt into the seat itself. These ventilation systems can cause asanitary problem due to the presence of baffles, channels and openingsalong the underside of the seat and/or tubing located in the bowl whichpresent a breeding ground for bacteria.

Another set of devices use an air filter system which are attached tothe toilet bowl or hung on the side thereof. These designs involve thecosts of buying and replacing filters. Furthermore, if the filter isspent, the system will pump unfiltered odor-filled air into the room.

Another set of devices use a pump system for removing odors from atoilet bowl to outside of the lavatory. Typically, the odors are pumpedto the exterior of the bathroom or the building. These solutions requirearchitectural improvements to be made to the building to allow forpassages through which to pump the odor-filled gas.

In general, the above, ventilation systems have one or more of thefollowing problems: inadequate sanitation, unsightly appearance,physical obstruction, and/or expense for the filter.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

It is accordingly an object of the invention to provide an odoreliminating system for removing odors from a toilet bowl by pumping theodors to the sewer pipe, which overcomes the above-mentioneddisadvantages of the heretofore-known devices and methods.

With the foregoing and other objects in view there is provided, inaccordance with the invention, an odor elimination system for a toiletcan be added to a existing toilet. The odor ventilating system includesa one-way valve, a low voltage direct current ventilating fan or similardevice, three connectors, a flexible air hose and an open-end soft filmtube. The top connector connects an inlet opening provided on the toiletbowel wall and the ventilating fan. The other connector connects theexhaust exit of said ventilating fan and the air hose. The one-way valvecan be installed either on the inlet of the fan or on the exhaust exitof said ventilating fan. The third connector connects the air hose andan outlet opening provided on the toilet discharge passage. The open-endsoft film tube is affixed inside to the third connector and extendedtoward the end of the toilet discharge passage. The end of the open-endsoft film tube must at least pass through the sewer pipe or the floorline.

To retrofit an existing toilet, the inlet opening is drilled in theporcelain body of the toilet bowl wall to a spot above the water level,and the outlet opening is drilled on the toilet discharge passage.Insert and seal the connector into the inlet opening, then install theone-way valve, ventilating fan, another connector, the flexible airhose, the third connector and the open-end soft film tube, one afteranother. A screen is affixed on the inlet opening to prevent solid wasteget into the inlet opening.

The main object of this invention is to provide a toilet bowl ventingsystem whereby odors from within the toilet howl may be vented,therefrom and discharged into the drain line for the toilet bowl.

Another object of this invention in accordance with the precedingobjects is to provide a toilet bowl venting system which will excludethe possibility of backflow of odors from the toilet drain line into thetoilet bowl.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a toilet howlventing system in accordance with the preceding objects and which may beeasily accessible while maintenance and services are needed.

A final object of this invention to be specifically enumerated herein isto provide a toilet bowl odor venting system in accordance with thepreceding objects and which will be economically feasible, long lastingand relatively trouble free in operation.

The construction and method of operation of the invention, however,together with additional objects and advantages thereof will be bestunderstood from the following description of specific embodiments whenread in connection with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view of an odor eliminating system and relationwith an existing toilet to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view through an existing toilet with an odorseliminating system installed according to the invention;

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic view of an odor eliminating system and elementsrelations according to the invention; and

FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic view showing the position of the inlet openingand the screen according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the figures of the drawing in detail and first,particularly, to FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 4 thereof, there is seen aconventional toilet 50 having a toilet bowl 51 and a discharge passage3. An inlet opening 2 is drilled on the upper part of toilet bowl wall5. An outlet opening 4 is drilled on and near the end of the dischargepassage 3.

The intake opening 2 is further covered and waterproof sealed by aninlet screen 21 to prevent solid waste get into the inlet opening 2. Theinlet screen 21 can be made by any durable waterproof materials.

FIG. 3 illustrates an odor eliminating system 1 that further consists ofa connector 8 inserted into the inlet opening 2, a one-way valve 6, alow voltage ventilating fan 7 or similar ice flexible an hose 9, and inopen-end soft film tube 10 The flexible an hose 9 connects to theexhaust exit 82 of the ventilating fan 7. When the ventilating fan 7starts to suck air, the one-way valve 6 will be pushed open. The one-wayvalve 6 will be closed when the ventilating fan 7 stops, that willprevent gases or odors returning back to toilet bowl 51. The one-wayvalve 6 can be installed either on the inlet of the fan or on theexhaust exit of said fan. The electrical ventilating fan 7 can beactivated on and off by an electric switch (not shown).

The third connector 83 connects the air hose 9 and the outlet opening 4provided near the end of the toilet discharge passage 3. The open-endsoft film tube 10 is affixed inside to the third connector 8 andextended toward the end of the toilet discharge passage 3. The end ofthe open-end soft film tube 10 must at least pass through the sewer pipeor the floor line 11 in order to make sure the open-end soft film tube10 will not be clogged and the waste will be flushed clean during eachwater flash.

After installation of the odor eliminating system 1 described above,when a user turn on the ventilating fan 7, the one-way valve 6 opens andthe odors in the toilet bowl 51 are sucked from inlet opening 2 throughthe air hose 9, the outlet opening 4 and the open-end soft film tube 10and then the odors are eliminated into the drain pipe.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized thatthe optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the toilet withan odors eliminating function, to include variations in size, materials,shape, form, function and the manner of operation, assembly and use, aredeemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and allequivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings anddescribed in the specification are intended to be encompassed by thepresent invention.

Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur tothose skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the toiletventilation apparatus to the exact construction and operation shown anddescribed, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalentsmay be resorted to, falling within the scope of the odors eliminatingsystem.

What is claimed is:
 1. An odor eliminating system comprising: aconnector having a one-way valve installed connecting to a low voltageventilating fan or similar device; a flexible air hose connected to theexhaust exit of the ventilating fan; and an open-end soft film tubeinside the toilet bottom outlet.
 2. The odors eliminating systemaccording to claim 1, wherein the one-way valve is installed on theinlet of the ventilating fan.
 3. The odors eliminating system accordingto claim 1, wherein the one-way valve is installed on the exhaust exitof said ventilating fan.
 4. The odors eliminating system according toclaim 1, wherein the inlet screen is made of durable waterproofmaterials.
 5. The odors eliminating system according to claim 1, whereinthe ventilating fan is an electrical centrifugal fan.
 6. The odorseliminating system according to claim 1, wherein the flexible air hosecan be made by any durable materials and need not to be round shape. 7.The odors eliminating system according to claim 1, wherein the open-endsoft film be is made by of soft and durable materials.
 8. The odorseliminating system according to claim 7, wherein the length of the endof the open-end soft film tube must pass through the sewer pipe or thefloor line.